Why? He picked up two backloaded deals signed last year for guys who are now a year older in Reyes and Buehrle, and then added some value in Bonifacio and a risky, but very talented pitcher for one year in Josh Johnson. To do this, he gave up some pretty good prospects in Marisnick, Henderson Alvarez, and Justin Nicolino. The Blue Jays have drafted well, which gave them the prospects to trade, and ownership has finally allowed them to increase their payroll. They were not happy with Yunel Escobar, but how much better off are they now than if they had signed Anibal Sanchez, maybe Shaun Marcum, and maybe Stephen Drew and Marco Scutaro or something. That wouldn't have costed Marisnick, Alvarez, and Nicolino.

Rogers has money to spend. Now their SS spot is filled for 5 years. Costly? Yes, but Reyes will give them better production than anyone else would have at that spot, by far. Alvarez is good, but about even with Buehrle, and no where near as good as a healthy Johnson. Last year was rough, but I think that was the exception, not the rule.

The Jays have some good pieces, but they've had a couple rough years - by the time those prospects got to town, the Jays would be heading for another rebuild. A lineup with Lawrie, Reyes, Bautista, Encarnacion and Rasmus is solid. Plus they also kept D'Arnaud, who's one of their top prospects and should be around soon. Other than the money, which Rogers has to spend, I don't see how this is a bad deal for the Jays.

Not to mention the Jays clearly have a conditioning problem with some of their younger pitchers. I think 7 have gotten Tommy John in the last few years. Johnson and Buehrle are veteran, established guys who will eat innings, which TO desperately needs from their rotation this season and beyond.

Posted by Jtpsops on 11/13/2012 8:07:00 PM (view original):Not to mention the Jays clearly have a conditioning problem with some of their younger pitchers. I think 7 have gotten Tommy John in the last few years. Johnson and Buehrle are veteran, established guys who will eat innings, which TO desperately needs from their rotation this season and beyond.

Yeah, Josh Johnson is the definition of an "innings eater." How are they better off with those guys than Elvis Andrus, Anibal Sanchez, and Shaun Marcum? They could have gotten Andrus with that package and signed those guys with the same amount of money.

The Rangers have already said they're not trading Andrus - and if they did, it would take a ton to get him. And you're assuming Marcum and Sanchez were coming to Toronto. I'm sure they have more appealing offers out there, and maybe AA realized that.

As for Josh Johnson - he's thrown 183IP+ in 3 of the last 4 years. Team lead for the Jays last season was 187IP. Johnson will give them much needed innings in the rotation.

Seems to me that Toronto recognizes that the Yanks will likely take a step back, question whether Balt was real, knows Boston sucks balls and think it's time to strike. NY/Boston won't be down forever.